'Sophisticated' pedophile gets 24 years jail

A PEDOPHILE dance teacher who preyed on his students, some as young as 10-years-of-age, has been sentenced to 24 years jail.

Grant Davies pleaded guilty last year to child pornography and sexual abuse charges after nine victims of his predatory abuse emerged.

The ABC reports Davies looked directly at Judge Jennie Girham, in a News South Wales District Court, on Friday as she read out graphic details of his depraved actions which she described as predatory and persistent.

"The offender started by sophisticated grooming of children, which over time escalated to sexual activity," Judge Girham said.

Fairfax media reports details of the 42-year-old's offending only came to light when his wife found inappropriate text messages - sent to a student from his phone.

Davies operated out of RG Dance Studio - a business which he owned in Chiswick in Sydney's inner west.

In September 2014 a mother was jailed for 18 months for sending degrading pictures of her daughter to Davies.

"I knew it wasn't right ... I could have just got up and walked out, I know that now," the woman told the Downing Centre District Court at the time.